Scottish Water is on track to deliver the biggest overhaul of Perth’s water and drainage infrastructure in a generation, as part of a major investment package worth £140 million.

The package covers several vital upgrades, including a recently completed 'super sewer' in Tay Street and Shore Road, development areas north and west of the city, and a major upgrade to the city’s Waste Water Treatment Works at Sleepless Inch.

The comprehensive work is designed to support the Fair City’s rapid growth, providing the capacity needed to serve new homes and businesses, which is equivalent to a 40% increase in the city’s population. It will also reduce the risk of sewers being overwhelmed during intense rainfall.

The recently completed 'super sewer' saw Scottish Water excavate and install a 2.2 metre diameter pipeline beneath Tay Street and Shore Road over a two-year period. This major engineering project involved extensive utility diversions, temporary road network alterations, and deep excavation alongside the River Tay.

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Scottish Water Chief Executive, Alex Plant, said the project is a "massive boost to Perth’s growing economy" and ensures the city can "continue to grow and flourish, even in the face of the real challenges that more extreme weather brings".

The works were delivered in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council, including the full reinstatement of the affected roads. A stakeholder group met regularly to manage the impact on Tay Street businesses, and the project team worked with Beautiful Perth volunteers to add colour to the reinstated riverfront.

Scottish Water's investment also includes:

• Installation of over 6km of new strategic sewer to drain growing communities to the west of the city bypass.

• Construction of a 6 million litre drinking water storage tank above Bertha Park.

• Laying of over 9km of new strategic water mains.

• A £61.5m upgrade to Perth Waste Water Treatment Works, expected to be complete by early 2027.

Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, who visited the site, said the super sewer is a "great example of evidence-led investment" that makes the local community "more resilient to the impacts of climate change".

Independent economists estimate that for every £1 invested by Scottish Water, around £3 of value is created through jobs with the utility and its supply chain, contributing almost £4.5 billion of value to Scotland’s economy every year.